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"Verbo" is a noun which is often translated as "verb", and "ponerse a" is a pronominal verb phrase which is often translated as "to start". Learn more about the difference between "verbo" and "ponerse a" below.
el verbo(
behr
-
boh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (formal) (style)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. language
Reconocí que era una obra de Shakespeare por su verbo.I knew it was one of Shakespeare's works from the language.
c. diction (literature)
Homero nos presenta su visión de la naturaleza a través de un verbo poético.Homer uses poetic diction to present us with his vision of nature.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Es un orador de verbo muy fluido.He's a very articulate speaker.
La casera era una señora de verbo rudo.The landlady was a rough-spoken woman.
3. (formal) (pronouncements)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. words
Los libros nos permiten escuchar el verbo de los filósofos y escritores del pasado.Books allow us to hear the words of philosophers and writers from the past.
4. (religious)
ponerse a(
poh
-
nehr
-
seh
ah
)A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
1. (general)
a. to start
Justo cuando llegábamos a la playa, se puso a llover.It started raining just as we were arriving at the beach.
b. to begin
A Eva la está riñendo su madre y va y se pone a cantar.Eva was being told off by her mother, and then she goes and begins to sing.
c. to get down to
No estarás pensando en ponerte ahora mismo a limpiar la casa, ¿verdad?You're not thinking of getting down to cleaning the house right now, are you?
